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Wisconsin Athletics | February 12, 2014

Badger dynasty

MADISON, Wis. -- Eight former Badgers were named members of the 2014 U.S. Olympic hockey teams and one was named to Team Canada as the Olympic Winter Games got underway Feb. 7, in Sochi, Russia.

The world event provides an opportunity to recognize the tremendous contributions Wisconsin has made through the ages to the Olympic Games.

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At least one Badger alum has skated in 10 consecutive Olympic games dating back to the 1976 games in Innsbruck, Austria. The men's and women's alumni group has captured gold medals in four (1980 - USA, 2002, 2006 & 2010 - Canada), silver in two (2002 & 2010 - USA) and bronze in one (2006 - USA) Olympic games.

In five consecutive Olympics, at least one Badger has been captain or assistant captain for Team USA, including Chris Chelios, who was captain in 1998, 2002 and 2006, and Brian Rafalski and Ryan Suter, who were both alternate captains in 2010. Suter is against alternate captain in 2014. John Taft also captained the 1976 U.S. team. In 2014, Meghan Duggan was tapped as captain of the women's team.

In addition, former Badgers have been head coaches of the teams in 1976 (Bob Johnson) and 2010 (Mark Johnson). And several have served as assistant coaches including Tony Granato (USA) and Carla MacLeod (Japan) this year, as well as Grant Standbrook (USA) in 1976.